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Preschool education

Get advice from other Mumsnetters to find the best nursery for your child on our Preschool forum.

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Original poster

Being fined for taking my three year out of nursery!!

26 replies

user1486495324 · 07/02/2017 19:30

I wanted some advice, we are going on a religious holiday and we requested holiday from my 3 year old sons nursery which is in school. (So he will be missing one week in half term and 1 week term time- he's only attending am)

Today we received a letter back from the school saying they are disappointed and will only authorise 1 day as religious and the other days we are being fined for!!

Are they legally allowed to do this? As compulsory school age is 5.

Some advice on what to do next would be great!

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leccybill · 07/02/2017 19:33

I don't think they are legally obliged, no.

He won't be 'missing' half term, everyone is off then.

LostMyDotBrain · 07/02/2017 19:33

I very much doubt it as schooling isn't compulsory at that age. That said though, I use a private nursery, not a school nursery, so I'll be watching this thread with interest.

dementedpixie · 07/02/2017 19:38

I've never heard of a nursery fining anyone. Surely nursery is optional unlike school. You would normally tell the nursery about holidays rather than ask for permission

Ilovecaindingle · 07/02/2017 19:40

Fines are proved unenforceable when the law only states kids must attend school regularly. .
Yours isn't even in full time education ffs!! Tell them April fools is way off. .

HoneyDragon · 07/02/2017 19:40

If they do a compulsory shutdown for Cmas and Easter bank holidays they are also raging hypocrites

GreenSpaghetti · 07/02/2017 19:42

I use a school nursery. Time off is classed as unauthorized absence but as far as I know can't be fined as, as already mentioned, they're not legally required to be in school. I always think its pathetic to even class it as unauthorized but there you go

user1484539497 · 07/02/2017 19:42

No they aren't allowed, that's ridiculous. My son goes to a nursery in a school and misses at least one Monday a month (more if ill), I've never said why or asked. Primary and Junior receive attendance records/letters but nursery dont. It is not compulsory.

It's not compulsory so they don't have to go. Very cheeky actually as they are still receiving funding!

meditrina · 07/02/2017 19:44

In a state school that is against the law, which allow fines only fpr pupils of statutory school age.

raindripsonruses · 07/02/2017 19:47

Is this a private nursery - are they charging you for the period rather than fining you?

ReginaGeorgeinSheepsClothing · 07/02/2017 19:49

Have they issued you with an actual 'fine' or are th saying you still need to pay for these days?

littleducks · 07/02/2017 19:50

I thought it was the Local Authority nor school who imposed fines. What is the wording? Are the referring it to Local Authority or asking for x amount per day.

Could someone in the office have accidentally copied and pasted bit about fining? So that would only normally be sent to older children? And your son will just have an (unnecessary imo) unauthorised absence

ReginaGeorgeinSheepsClothing · 07/02/2017 19:51

Oops x post!

MixedGrill · 07/02/2017 19:53

I suspect they have put your name into the wrong standard letter,

kkaur · 07/02/2017 19:58

Thanks for all the replies, glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks it's wrong!

I've got a letter from the school who say they have spoken to the schools governing body and asked me to refer to the attached letter which says about term time absence and how they apply the same rule to everyone in the school even if they are in nursery.

The letter attached says about taking time off and being fined for it.

MixedGrill · 07/02/2017 20:03

Ignore it.

However, as it is not compulsory for your child to be in nursery, I would check whether they can offer your place to someone else. Our school filled the place from the waiting lists if parents kept kids off on unauthorised absence for more than 10 school days.

leccybill · 07/02/2017 20:04

Ha, they can refer to anything they like, but until compulsory schooling age, there's no obligation at all.

daisydalrymple · 07/02/2017 20:07

Contact your LEA for clarification, maybe ask for a copy of their policy on this, which can demonstrate it is legal for them to fine parents when the child is under five.

Parker231 · 07/02/2017 20:12

Ignore it - all you need to do is to let them know that DC won't be at nursery from this date to that date.

StarCrossdSkys · 07/02/2017 20:19

It's nursery. You don't need to request holiday. Just tell them at pick up on your last day that he won't be in next week. No explanation necessary.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 07/02/2017 20:20

Totally ridiculous.
He's not studying for his GCSEs and missing a vital part of the curriculum.
Are they worried that he might fall behind with his sandpit skills?

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 07/02/2017 20:23

No, they absolutely can't fine you!

I'd second the suggestion it's just a standard mass-produced letter.

Ignore!

MirandaWest · 07/02/2017 20:28

Schools wouldn't normally do the fining would they? It would be the local authority - and would you be fined before having the time off?
Which LEA is it?

kkaur · 07/02/2017 21:52

Yh technically it's only 2.5 full days they are taking off!

I'm going to get some advice from the lea aswell as school. I think I've got a good case so they can't fine me.

Corcoran · 22/07/2019 01:49

Hi my granddaughter starts school nursery in Sept but I am taking her away and my daughter to lapland in December. My daughter has already told the nursery on their open day as she will have just turned 4 we go for a week to see santa. On Sat my daughter and her boyfriend both received letters stating they will be fined £150 each is this correct

Littlefish · 23/07/2019 22:45

Corcoran, no, it's not correct. If your grandchild is in receipt of 3 year old funding, contact the funding team at the Local Authority and discuss it with them.

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